• Undergraduate Research in Cell Biology

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Opportunity Description

Preclinical research in cancer therapeutics. Our lab in collaboration with with a small biotech company pioneered the use of high-Z nanoparticles to enhance radiation therapy of cancers–with a special emphasis on brain cancers–both primary gliomas and metastatic brain tumors. Our original work was done with gold nanoparticles. We are currently working with iodine nanoparticles. Full-time summer research and 9 hrs/week course research in fall and spring are available.

Please go to our Cell Biology web site to see a short description of our lab’s interests and most of our publications since 2000. The attached link is a virtual talk I gave at the most recent Society for NeuroOncology meeting. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hrxqzdsf3hqngno/Henery%2011.01.2020.mp4?dl=0

If you think you might have interest in our lab, e-mail smilowitz@uchc.edu and I can discuss specific projects. Many of the students who intern in our lab publish with us as co-authors.

Student Qualifications
Looking for responsible, very talented students with strong performance in STEM and strong work ethic.
Prefer students interested in a career in medicine (getting MD) or research (getting PhD)
Prefer rising seniors who wish to pursue a senior thesis, but open to rising juniors and sophomores.
Prefer previous lab experience, but open to students that have had course lab experience
Prefer students who are facile with instrumentation and have good computer skills.
Prefer students who are open to working with lab animals.

How to Apply
Please forward the following items to Dr. Smilowitz via email to smilowitz@uchc.edu.

1. Resume
2. Transcript
3. Personal letter with interests, motivations, long-term goals and availability for this research experience
4. At least one letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well

Mentor: Henry Smilowitz, Associate Professor
Department: Cell Biology
Email: smilowitz@uchc.edu
Timing: Ongoing – provisionally available for Spring 2021 (will depend on Covid situation)
Campus: UConn Health (Farmington)

• Deadlines Approaching for Summer 2021 Research Opportunities

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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get valuable research experience this summer. Undergraduate students who are interested in participating in a summer research program should be preparing applications and requesting letters of recommendation now! Check out the following summer research programs with January and early February deadlines.

COVID-19 Note: All summer programs are closely following developments related to coronavirus in order to react quickly to changing situations. Many programs expect to resume in-person activities as planned in 2021, but please check the individual program websites for updates. Due to continued uncertainties about the occupancy of laboratories and regional travel restrictions, the Amgen Scholars Program will not accept applications for summer 2021.

Summer Internships in Science and Technology (SIST) – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)
Deadline: January 12, 2021
https://internships.fnal.gov/summer-internships-in-science-and-technology-sist/
Fermilab’s SIST program offers 12-week summer internships in science and technology. Internships available in physics, engineering (mechanical, electrical and computer), materials science, mathematics and computer science offer a chance for students to conduct research with Fermilab scientists and engineers. Hourly pay ranges from $15.83/hr-$20.56/hr depending on your year in school. The program may move to a virtual format with a decision to be made at a later date.

University of Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences – Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
Deadline: January 15, 2021
http://medicine.buffalo.edu/education/undergraduate/sure.html
The School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences offers a summer undergraduate research program for students in their sophomore year or later at the time of application. Some level of previous research experience is recommended. Offers extended to only 6-8 students; $3,500 stipend and housing provided.

NORC Summer Intern Program – University of Chicago 
Deadline: January 22, 2021, 5pm CT
http://www.norc.org/WorkingAtNORC/Pages/internship-programs.aspx
This 9-week paid summer internship is designed for upper level undergraduate students with an interest in social science research. The program will be fully virtual in summer 2021. The program introduces interns to the design, implementation and analysis of large surveys. Students will have the opportunity to learn the principles of survey research from leading practitioners while exploring recent innovations in data collection techniques and the integration of survey data with other types of data.

NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) – Bay Area Environmental Research Institute
Deadline: January 27, 2021
https://baeri.org/sarp/
This 8-week summer internship program is targeted at rising seniors with a strong background in any of the physical, chemical, or biological sciences, mathematics or engineering and an interest in applying their background to the study of the Earth system. Research areas include atmospheric chemistry, air quality, forest ecology, and ocean biology. SARP participants will acquire hands-on research experience using one or more NASA Airborne Science Program flying science laboratories.

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – Summer REU Program in Translational Ecology
Deadline: January 29, 2021
http://www.caryinstitute.org/students/reu-program
Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides the opportunity for 8-12 students each summer to conduct ecology research at a world-class institute. For summer 2021, the program will be hybrid or 100% virtual (decision TBD). Students selected for this 10-week program receive a $5,500 stipend; a room and board allowance will vary based on where students will be living (remote field site versus home).

UCSD MSTP Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
Deadline: January 31, 2021
https://reumanager.com/mstp-surf/
The Medical Scientist Training Program at UC San Diego is designed for students interested in learning about a career as a physician-scientist. The program features an 8-week research project, weekly seminars, and a physician-scientist clinical shadowing experience. Students from groups underrepresented in health-related sciences and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. $3,200 stipend and room provided. 

NSF-REU Internships in Astronomy – Maria Mitchell Observatory
Deadline: February 1, 2021
http://www.mmo.org/get-involved/internships/reu
Six REU internship positions are available for qualified undergraduate astronomy and physics students. These positions provide students the opportunity to conduct independent research supervised by a senior staff member of MMO. $2,000 per month stipend and housing provided.

Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Deadline: February 1, 2021
http://www.stjude.org/poe
This program provides a short-term training experience in either laboratory research or clinical research. Students will be matched with a faculty mentor and will participate in the mentor’s ongoing research projects. It is likely that the 2021 program will be primarily virtual. Applicants should indicate particular skills and experience that would be helpful for remote projects (e.g. bioinformatics, MATLAB, R or python programming, biostatistics or epidemiology software, image processing, etc). Qualified students with an interest in cancer research are encouraged to apply. $400/week stipend provided to selected students.

SAO REU Summer Intern Program (pending funding approval)
Deadline: February 1, 2021
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/opportunities/reu//overview.html
The SAO Summer intern program is a research experience for undergraduates where students work on an astrophysics research project under the supervision of an SAO or Harvard scientist. Undergraduates interested in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or related physical sciences are encouraged to apply. The 10-week program takes place at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics although the program may move to a fully virtual program depending on public health situation. Stipend of $600/week.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program – Gerstner Sloan Kettering
Deadline: February 1, 2021
http://www.sloankettering.edu/summer-undergraduate-research-program
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering sponsors a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students who are interested in the biomedical sciences. This is a competitive program that accepts 20 students. Applicants must have research experience. $6,000 stipend and housing provided.

REU Program in Solar and Space Physics – University of Colorado Boulder
Deadline: February 1, 2021
http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/education/reu/
This 10-week summer REU program targets students with an interest in solar and space physics. Students work under the direction of scientists from one of a number of participating institutions that are part of the Boulder Solar Alliance. The program may move to a virtual format depending on status of public health situation. $500/week stipend plus housing/food stipend provided.

State University of New York Upstate Medical University – Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
Deadline: February 1, 2021
http://www.upstate.edu/grad/programs/summer.php<
Applicants to this 10-week program should be undergraduate students in good academic standing, who will be between their junior and senior years during the summer of 2021, and are majors in chemistry, biology, or a related field. Applicants should have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in biomedical research. $3,500 stipend and housing provided.

Hartford Hospital Summer Student Pre-Med & Research Program
Deadline: February 5, 2021
https://hartfordhospital.org/health-professionals/education/residencies-fellowships/summer-student-pre-med-research-program
This 10-week program offers pre-med students an introduction to research methodology, patient treatment, and ethical issues in medicine. Applicants must be pre-med students completing their junior year by May 2021. $4,000 stipend for selected students.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Summer Student Fellowship
Deadline: February 5, 2021
http://www.whoi.edu/main/summer-student-fellowship
The Summer Student Fellowship provides undergraduates with an interest in ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, mathematics, or marine policy with a meaningful first-hand introduction to research in those areas. Students who have completed their junior year prior to the start of fellowship period in summer 2021 are eligible to apply. Stipend of approximately $650/week for 10-12 weeks and institutional housing provided.

Embracing Failure

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By Pavitra Makarla, Peer Research AmbassadorEmbracing Failure. By PRA Pavitra.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

– Thomas A. Edison

If there’s any quote that wholly represents what research is, it has to be this one.

To the budding scientist, failure might seem like the worst possible outcome in the research process. Maybe you’ve attempted to run some code that continually gives back an error, or maybe you’ve hypothesized something that turned out to be the complete opposite of what you thought. Theoretically, failure is something you’d want to avoid, right?

I think it’s the opposite — you should embrace the concept of failure. Failing shows you what doesn’t work, and you can use that information to find out what actually does work. While the specific challenges you will encounter in research can vary from lab to lab, there are ways to deal with and overcome failures. Continue reading →

• Applications Open for Summer 2021 Research Opportunities

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Undergraduate students interested in participating in a summer research or internship program should plan ahead. December is the time to gather together all the required elements of the applications, including faculty letters of recommendation. Check out the exciting programs below and consider if any would fit with your research goals and interests. These opportunities have application deadlines in December or January!

COVID-19 Note: All summer programs are closely following developments related to coronavirus in order to react quickly to changing situations. Many programs expect to resume in-person activities as planned in 2021, but please check the individual program websites for updates.

DAAD RISE – Research Internships in Science and Engineering in Germany
Deadline: Applications are due by December 15, 2020; Letters of Reference are due by December 22, 2020; https://www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-germany/
DAAD RISE gives students in the fields of biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, and physics the chance to spend a summer working on research projects with doctoral students at German universities and research institutions. Interested students must first register online before submitting application materials. Application materials must be submitted by December 15, 2020 (6pm EST), with letters of reference due December 22, 2020 (6pm EST).

Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program (MLEF)
Deadline: January 8, 2021; http://orise.orau.gov/mlef/
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy. It is a 10-week summer internship program that provides opportunities to students who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The goal of the program is to improve opportunities for minority and female students in these fields, but all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply. Students must be a college sophomore at the time of application with a minimum 2.8 GPA.

Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Deadline: January 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST
https://science.osti.gov/wdts/suli
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories. Selected students participate as interns appointed at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories.

SENS Research Foundation (SRF) Summer Scholars Program
Deadline: January 15, 2021 at 12:00pm PST
http://www.sens.org/education/research-opportunities/srf-summer-scholars-program
This program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientific mentor. Paid positions are available at a number of research institutions including Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Harvard Medical School, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, and SRF Research Center. Full descriptions of each research project can be found at the website link above.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – Undergraduate Research Program 2020
Deadline: January 15, 2021; https://www.cshl.edu/education/undergraduate-research-program
The URP program is designed to give students an opportunity to conduct first-rate research under the supervision of senior laboratory staff in the areas of cancer biology, neuroscience, plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics, and genomics. Selected students receive room and board in addition to a $5,500 stipend.

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships
Deadline: January 15, 2021; https://thinkswiss.org/
ThinkSwiss scholarships support highly motivated undergraduates who are interested in doing research at a public Swiss university or research institute. The scholarship is open to students in all fields. A monthly stipend of approximately $1,600 is provided for a period of 2-3 months.

Summer Research Experience Program in Cancer Science – Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Deadline: January 31, 2021; https://www.roswellpark.org/education/summer-programs/college-students
This 10-week summer research program is open to students who are college juniors or junior-equivalents (credit-wise) at the time of application and who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree towards a biomedical research career. Areas of research include, but are not limited to: cancer biophysics, tumor immunology, cancer genetics, molecular pharmacology. Selected students will be working in a Roswell Park department alongside professional researchers and graduate students.

Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) – Columbia University
Deadline: January 31, 2021; http://ps.columbia.edu/education/student-life/office-diversity/programs/college-and-post-baccalaureate-students/summer-publ
The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in public health and biomedical science careers. Applicants must have completed at least two years of college (rising juniors and seniors). Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Selected students will receive a stipend, housing, and round trip travel.

Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB)
Deadline: January 31, 2021 at 5:00pm, PST; https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/research/superb
The SUPERB Computer and Information Science and Engineering program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to work on research projects focused on using Big Data. This challenging 9-week program is open to rising juniors or seniors who have completed some upper division course work in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. Stipend of $4,500, housing, meals, and $600 travel allowance provided.

Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement – Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP)
Deadline: January 31, 2021; https://www.kennedykrieger.org/training/programs/center-for-diversity-in-public-health-leadership-training/mchc-rise-up
MCHC/RISE-UP provides opportunities for enhanced public leadership in the area of maternal and child health. Three tracks are offered: clinical, research, and community engagement and advocacy. This program is open to juniors, seniors, and recent baccalaureate degree scholars interested in learning more about public health. A stipend ($3,000-$3,500) and housing are provided.

Overcoming Research Challenges

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By Shreya Murthy, Peer Research AmbassadorOvercoming Research Challenges. By PRA Shreya.

Its 11pm at night and you have to send some materials to your PI on your research project the next morning. All of a sudden, your computer screen goes blue, then black, then won’t turn on again; your computer just crashed with all of your research inside.

Participating in research is a really wonderful and engaging experience and helps students in so many personal and professional ways. However, when situations such as the above computer crash happen, things get a little more interesting. Continue reading →

The Importance of Mentorship, Collaboration, and Self-Advocacy

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By Sarah Tsuruo, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

The Importance of Mentorship, Collaboration, and Self-Advocacy. By PRA Sarah.If you just joined a lab, or you’re stuck in your research growth and development, take a minute to read what I have to say about mentorship, collaboration and self-advocacy!

Mentorship

Mentorship as an undergraduate researcher is the most important thing to your success and growth. Mentors will teach you and guide you in every step of your research, from learning mechanisms, bench work, making your own project and writing an abstract or thesis. Mentors can be found not only in your PIs, but in all lab members: postdocs, PhD students, lab techs, and even upperclassmen undergrads. Being experts in their work, they have been through every success and downfall ― and know how to help you through it as well. Continue reading →

Meet the PRAs: Anisha Jain

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Meet Anisha Jain ’21, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Pathobiology and minoring in Molecular & Cell Biology.

Meet the PRAs - Anisha.What is the focus of your research?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and it’s more severe form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), typically arise in individuals who are obese. In these cases, typically weight loss is the treatment option. In recent years physicians have discovered a large proportion of non-obese individuals who develop NASH. The pathogenesis and treatment of this distinct disease phenotype is not well understood. Since weight loss isn’t a viable option for non-obese individuals, my research aims to better understand the disease mechanism for NASH, as well as identify pharmaceutical and nutritional methods to mitigate steatosis and inflammation in mouse models of lean NASH.

Why did you get involved in research?

My dad is a physician in academia and his involvement in research has always been a large part of his identity, which he often shared our family.  We would often travel to conferences both national and international to hear my dad and his colleagues present, as well as I’d frequently visit his office. Through all of this I was consistently surrounded by brilliant, awe-inspiring physicians and scientist who shaped my idea of research and academics. In the end I’m grateful to my dad and his brilliant colleagues who made research an exciting prospect and instilled the desire to be like them. In high school was accepted into a science research program in which I began to actually participate in this research I grew up hearing about. It was mentors in those few years, especially Dr. Karin Finberg,  who deepened my curiosity and appreciation for research and eventually gave me the critical thinking and technical skills which enabled me to design an IDEA grant project.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

There’s a dichotomy of undergraduate research: don’t feel rushed to get involved, but it’s there for you if you want it at any point in time. I am an example of getting involved in research very early in my life and academic career, which means that it’s there for anyone at any point, but it’s best to find ways to prime your curiosity. What I mean by that is listen to seminars, read papers, talk to professors, inside and outside of your academic major. Find things that excite you and that you’re passionate about, and keep an open mind.

What are your plans after graduation?

I hope to apply into M.D.-Ph.D. dual degree programs and study to become a physician-scientist. In short, my career will hopefully be completely research-centered.

Click here for more information on Anisha and other OUR Peer Research Ambassadors.

• Congratulations, Fall 2020 Change Grant Recipients!

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The Office of Undergraduate Research is excited to announce the three students selected to receive UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship – Change Grants!

Click here to view the full list of Fall 2020 Recipients.

Born out of the UConn Co-op’s commitment to public engagement, innovative entrepreneurship, social impact, and active mentorship, the UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship – Change Grants provide undergraduates the opportunity to pursue student-designed or student-led projects, including service initiatives, creative endeavors, advocacy, engaged research, and social entrepreneurship. Projects pursued through this program represent the legacy of the UConn Co-op’s commitment to public engagement, innovation, and social impact.

Special thanks to the faculty who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects and to the faculty who participated in the review process.

Click here for more information on the UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship – Change Grant Program.

The Importance of Mentors

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By Anisha Jain, OUR Peer Research AmbassadorThe Importance of Mentors. By PRA Anisha.

Why do we need mentors anyway?

Learning can become onerous for anyone and often we feel its weight on our shoulders. Competitiveness in academic culture can become toxic. Having good mentors can help one to navigate the obstacles faced in academic culture. Mentors instill their passions and interests which not only can define our professional lives but impart critical and fundamental experiences in research. I owe a lot to my mentors. The ones who spend hours sitting with me and teaching. The ones who give me opportunities to make my own mistakes. The ones who believed in me even when I didn’t know what I was doing. Mentors give us access to various academic resources, mold us into professionals, and help guide us towards our goals. Continue reading →

• Research Opportunity – REINVENT-PT Lab

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Opportunity Description

Join the REINVENT-PT lab (REhabilitation, INnoVations & Emerging Novel Technologies in Physical Therapy lab in Spring 2021! Our lab is interested in understanding developmental trajectories of individuals with developmental disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, etc., across the lifespan.

Specifically, our lab studies how infants and children with developmental disabilities explore their physical and social environment compared to typically developing infants and the cascading effects of motor difficulties on a child’s social communication and cognitive development. Our lab develops novel, movement-based interventions for school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and assesses the effects of these play and creative movement-based interventions on children’s motor, social communication, behavioral, and cognitive skills. We are also interested in assessing health-related outcomes in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities including their physical activity and physical fitness levels. Based on our understanding of the developmental trajectories of individuals with disabilities, our goal is to develop multisystem, evidence-based, behavioural interventions and assistive technologies to empower the lives of people with disabilities.

At present, the lab has 2 ongoing research projects – (1) assessing the effects of 8-week, telehealth-based creative movement interventions on social communication, motor and cognitive skills of school-age children with ASD, and (2) assessing physical activity and physical fitness levels in adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and development of novel, engaging group-based intervention programs to improve health-related outcomes in this population

Student Qualifications
We are looking for passionate, energetic, and empathetic undergraduate students interested in working on projects involving infants, children, and adults with disabilities. Students can pursue research at the lab for credit, for work study, and with the potential of converting a subset of the research into a thesis. Students are required to commit to pursuing research in the lab for at least 2 semesters in order for the experience to be meaningful for students. Students from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to psychology, physiology and neurobiology, biology, exercise science, communication sciences, allied health, and education are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply
To apply, please contact Dr. Sudha Srinivasan at sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu. Please also feel free to email with questions!

Mentor: Sudha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor
Department: Kinesiology
Email: sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu
Campus: Storrs